Juvenile Traffic and Minor Offenses	Delinquency	Dependency	School Attendance and Truancy

Juvenile Court

The Juvenile Court is responsible for conducting court proceedings regarding minors under the age of 18.  One of the Juvenile Court's roles is to protect the minor and to protect the community.  Juvenile Court cases are heard at special or separate sessions at the court.  In an effort to offer a greater opportunity for juvenile rehabilitation, and to protect the privacy of children who are or may become dependents of the court, many proceedings are not open to the public.

There are two primary categories of cases heard at Juvenile Court: 

• Delinquency cases - in which a child is charged with an offense
• Dependency cases - which involve allegations of child abuse and neglect

The Juvenile Court also handles:

• Adoptions
• Emancipations
• A child's application for permission to marry
• Traffic and minor offenses commited by a child
• School truancy matters

Juvenile Court matters are confidential and are not open to the public.  Because of the confidentiality of Juvenile Court records, specific case information may not be disclosed over the phone.

Other agencies involved with the Juvenile Court system include:

• Probation Department
• Health and Human Services Agency
• District Attorney's Office
• Public Defender's Office
• Alternate Public Defender's Office
• County Counsel
• Voices for Children
• Law enforcement agencies